Welcome Back!

Welcome back to Syndal South Primary for 2022 and a very big welcome to the new families who have joined our school community for the first time. We have had an exceptionally smooth start to the new school year.

It was wonderful to see the students walking back through the gates on the first Monday. All year levels have settled in well including our new Foundation students. The school is running like we haven’t even been away!

We have some new staff who have started with us this year too. I’d like to welcome Holly Liu, Jarrod Riley, Veena Senn and Kate Phillips who is replacing Leo Kahans for Term 1. They too have settled in and are looking forward to a fabulous year.

In relation to Covid news, you will continue to be notified by Compass when there is information to pass on.

The staff are currently working on delivering a Parent Information Night in early March, more information regarding dates and times will be coming out shortly.

Stop Press!!

The Resilience Project has arrived at Syndal South

This year, we are excited to bring The Resilience Project into our school community and implement their wellbeing curriculum throughout our classrooms.

Current research tells us:

• 1 in 4 adolescents have a mental illness.
• 1 in 7 primary school students have a mental illness.
• 1 in 5 adults will experience mental ill-health throughout the year.
• 65% of adolescents do not seek help for mental illness.

The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs and provides evidence-based, practical strategies to support positive mental health and build resilience. Presentations will include stories and research on how we can build mental health in our day to day lives, and support the mental health of the children in our care.

We understand that as primary carers, you have an essential role to play in building positive mental health with your children. Through this program, teachers and students will engage in weekly lessons and activities around the key principles of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM) to build resilience. To support what we’re doing in the classroom, you will be given access to an online Parent and Carer Hub which will introduce you to The Resilience Project, build your own confidence around resilience, and give you ideas to help your children and their mental health throughout the year.

The Resilience Project’s School Program has been evaluated by the University of Melbourne, with parents observing positive changes in how children handled home situations.

The evaluation also demonstrated the program had targeted benefits in building:

• Children’s use of daily gratitude strategies and their sense of gratitude.
• Confidence and self-esteem, especially in relation to their peer relationships.
• Relationships at school and home.
• Knowledge and ability to express emotions.
• More supportive classroom environments.

Information about how to access the Parent and Carer Hub will be shared soon. In the meantime, feel free to learn more about The Resilience Project by exploring the ideas, activities and resources which bring Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM) to life on TRP@HOME https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/.

I’m looking forward to a fantastic 2022!

Have a great fortnight.

Helen